It was decided. After spending a whole day in the library, the parents thought that after the attacks, the victims would turn to the public and tell what happened, which will cause the safety patrol to come after them. But it was uncertain, however just in case, they decided to have the kids go and stay out of Trolberg for a number of days. It was a bit hard, but for the best. The parents contacted Mrs Hallgrim and told her their kids were having a crisis and would be not attending school for a while, which Mrs Hallgrim approved, but didn't ask what was going on. Also Alva made this as a Night Owls getaway activity, as a cover up. When it was time the kids packed up as much as they could in duffel bags and backpacks for camping like flashlights, sleeping bags, blankets, snacks, tents, a couple clothing, toiletries, and other pieces of entertainment like books, a music player, and a corn-hole game set. Then whence dusk came the parents and Alva drove out and met near the wall, where they would hike out into the woods. The kids just faced their parents and said their goodbyes to them, for they'll be away for a while.
Johanna: Well, this is goodbye for now, honey.
Hilda: I know mum. I hope that you don't blame and hate me for what happened.
Johanna: No, Hilda. I don't. I love you, and that's why I think this is the best way to keep you safe.
Hilda: Thank you.
The mother and daughter then leaned in and wrapped their arms around each other, hugging one another. After a couple of seconds Johanna pressed a kiss on Hilda's head and they let go of each other, with Johanna standing up and looking down at her with a nervous smile for Hilda's safety, not because of the dangers outside the city, but the dangers of inside with heat growing from the troll attacks. As kids said their farewells to their parents, they all met up with Alva and had their things ready to go. Before leaving, they looked back and saw 2 others approaching them to say goodbye. It was Kelly and Jaden.
David: What are you guys doing here?
Jaden: Well, I suppose we're staying behind because we did nothing that regards the attacks. So this is goodbye.
Hilda: Oh.
Hilda just looked down a little, feeling a bit down. Jaden and Kelly saw it and started to feel a little bad for themselves for how they might've let Hilda down. They knew that the kids attacked Bagsy and Kelly Bluewell because they were insulting them for being trolls, which Jaden and Kelly weren't present at time and didn't know how it felt in the perspective of Hilda and her friends. But did know how it hurt to be ridiculed.
Kelly: Look, kids. We get it. We got taunted by our Marra gang when we told them what happened.
Jaden: Yeah, so we kinda know what's it like.
At that moment the kids looked up at Jaden and Kelly where they saw empathy on their faces and assurance in their words, which made them better. After words the kids turned back and followed Alva as they walked through the gates of the city and out into the wilderness past the place. They did turned around and saw their parents behind them to watch'em go, waving one last time for goodbye. The kids waved goodbye in return before they turned back around to the woods and walked towards it. They entered the woods and hiked up the hills in a straight line. As they did they looked around and didn't see any trolls yet, nor any anti troll people in their trucks. But Trevor was still skeptical.
Trevor: Where excatly are we going?
Alva: The stone forest.
Trevor: Never heard of it.
Hilda: It's the same place where all the trolls live! It's like an underground world where it's completely rock and stone.
Sarah: Wait. So, we're basically going into the lion's den? And in this case the lions are trolls?
Frida: I guess that makes sense.
David: Is that even a smart idea?
Alva: Yes. We'll hide there our entire trip.
Trevor: Are sure? What if the trolls pound us into the ground?
Hilda: They won't, we're trolls now.
Trevor just rolled her eyes for whatever as they continued hiking. After hiking for 20 more minutes they were now crossing into troll territory with trolls already coming out of their rock forms and setting up campfires everywhere. They looked at the Night Owls hiking up the hill and stared at them as they passed by, but the gang just kept walking by and didn't bother them. The best way to ignore them. As they walked past the other trolls, they looked up and saw the open tunnel that led into the mountain, the stone forest. They walked to the tunnel and Alva looked at her Night Owls, making sure they're together, before she looked ahead and walked down into the dark tunnel. As they walked down the tunnel David was becoming a bit nervous about going into a land filled with trolls all over the place. But with raven leader, and Hilda, then surely they'd be okay. After walking down the tunnel for only 10 minutes, they arrived inside the stone forest. The trolls were wandering around the place with bags of stuff for their troll hordes or trade, and they bother the night owls or didn't seem to care. But that was fine with the Night Owls as long it didn't cause trouble. As they walked down through the area, David kinda had something to ask.
David: Uh, Raven Leader? Where exactly are we going?
Alva: I'm not so sure just yet, David.
David: Wait?! We don't know where we're going?!
Alva: Well...I'm sorry, David. But we'll find...
Alva trailed off as she looked ahead, seeing what was in front of her was the last thing. It a large troll standing in front of her, looking at her dead in the eye. The kids looked in front and froze in fear at the sight of the troll in front of them. They looked at the troll and saw a small and younger troll in her arms, who made a cheerful face at the sight of familiar faces. Frida and David looked up at the troll and it finally took them a few seconds to realize that in front of them was Trylla and Baba! She looked at the Night Owls and saw Hilda, who was looking at them with a straight face.
Trylla: Hilda?!
Hilda: Huh?
Trylla: Oh my goodness! Why are you trolls?!
Hilda: Oh, uh. Wait do I know you?
Trylla: Of course you do! It's me! Trylla!
Sarah: Hilda! Do you know this troll?!
Hilda: Well, I, don't know.
Trylla: Don't know? How do you not know? We first met when you got stuck here in the stone forest!
Alva: You got stuck here, Hilda?
Hilda: I, I, think so?
Trylla: Of course you do! Don't you remember?
Frida: Whoa, whoa, whoa.
Frida just stepped in between everyone and waved her hands to calm everyone down to go to a stable pace. When everyone became quiet David walked over next to Frida as she and him looked up at Trylla.
David: Trylla. The reason we're trolls is because we got cursed by an evil wizard. Now we have no way of changing back.
Trylla: Really? That's too bad.
Frida: It is. Hilda also lost most of her memories from her curse. Which is why she doesn't remember you.
Trylla: Oh. That explains it. But what are all of you doing out here?
Alva: Well, Trylla, we've came here to camp for a while. Things have happened in the city, so we came until the heat on us goes down.
Trylla: Really. Well, if you'd like you may camp outside my cave.
Trevor: Really?
Trylla: Yes. I've moved to a better cave with much open space outside. You camp there for your trip.
Everyone looked at Trylla and saw her making a fondly smile with Baba making cheerful noises in her arms, before looking at each other. They thought how Trylla seemed to know Hilda, David, and Frida. And how she was offering them a place to stay. Maybe it was better then nothing.
Alva: Well, if insist and know Hilda like you say, then I guess we could camp there.
Trylla: Splendid! Come on!
Trylla then turned back and gestured her head forward to make follow her with a kind smile, with the Night Owls following her to her cave.
Upon reaching Trylla's cave, they saw it underneath a stone pillar with a wide open space to run around and play with a small puddle on the side. The Night Owls immediately began to set up camp by setting up their tents, rolling out their sleeping bags, and unpacking other supplies. After unpacking Sarah, Hilda, and Baba ran off to play frisbee while Alva, David, Trevor, and Frida sat down and talked to each other, to catch up on what's been happening recently. Frida explained how they've been adapting to this curse and explained to Alva and Trevor how they know Trylla and Baba. Neither liked how Trylla swapped Hilda with Baba. As they spoke David looked back and saw how Baba wasn't breaking a sweat at all.
David: Doesn't Baba ever stop running around?
Trylla: Never. It never surprises me, frankly.
Frida: Well, trolls like Baba do have so much energy. So much an average human.
Trylla: Hm. Well, I'm sorry about this you all. But I want you to know that your welcome here anytime.
Trevor: Thank you, Trylla.
Alva: Sarah!
Everyone looked away and turned the direction that Alva was looking at and saw Baba and Hilda standing in front of the stone pillar, with Sarah climbing up. Immediately they got off and rushed over to the pillar with worried faces, looking up and approaching Baba and Hilda as they looked up and saw them coming over.
Frida: What's going on?!
Hilda: We've been playing frisbee and Baba threw it too hard and it
Alva: What?! But we never tried climbing yet!
Sarah: Don't worry Alva! I almost got it!
Everyone just watched as Sarah reached with one hand to the frisbee, touching it with a finger. But then it happened. Suddenly Sarah lost grip with her hand and her foot slipped while reach, causing her to fall off the stone pillar and fall down. Sarah screamed so loud as she fell and everyone saw it happen and tried to rush over to help, but were too late when she hit the ground with a loud thud, and the sound of something cracking.
Everyone: SARAH!
Immediately everyone rushed towards Sarah and saw her laying motionless on the ground. They reached her and Alva got to Sarah first, turning her over and gasping in horror. Everyone looked at Sarah and became completely horrified by what they saw. Sarah's faces was crack like a cracked rock and her eyes were closed and didn't open, with long cracks across the eyes. Almost like she was smashed with a sledgehammer. And the most terrifying was her troll nose, it was broken off like a stick. Her mouth was opened and she didn't say anything, expect breathing slowly and heavily. Everyone just looked at injured Sarah with horrifying faces.
Trevor: Oh goodness! Her nose!
Sarah: Her eyes!
Frida: Guys! I think she's having trouble breathing!
Everyone looked back at her and noticed her breathing too bad, which made Trylla worried the most.
Trylla: Oh, dear! This is bad! She can't breath!
Trevor: Can't breathe?!
Trylla: Yes! We have long noses because it's where we get most of air instead of our mouths!
David: But what about the cracks!
Trylla: Well, rocks can break and crack, and we can too because Trolls are rock like creatures.
David: Ah.
Alva: But what do we do to help Sarah?!
Hilda: Is there anything we can do?!
Trylla: Well, there is someone!
Frida: Really?!
Trylla: Yes. Rohr The Healer. He's a troll that excels in troll magic and can help her! Let's go!
Trylla then reached down and picked up Sarah in her arms, before she dashed away into another direction. Everyone just got onto their feet and proceeded to follow Trylla behind her, to Rohr the healer. They all rushed across the open space and away from Trylla's cave, with Trylla picking up Baba in the other hand. The night owls looked back and saw the troll's civilization growing small due to distance. The night owls looked ahead and saw them running into the stone forest, deep into the stone forest.
Trevor: Trylla? Where excatly is this Rohr?
Trylla: He's a little bit deep in the stone forest!
The night owls just blinked but still took Trylla's word because they didn't have much of a choice. Sarah's life was at stake! They ran deeper into the stone forest and the Night Owls looked around to see anything. But nothing resembling a cave or a troll. This kept going on for many minutes until David just reached the conclusion.
David: You said he'd be a little! We seem to be going further in!
Trylla: Well, I suppose my memory was a bit wrong.
Trylla just made an embarrassed smile and rubbed the back of her neck nervously, which everyone just eyed her.
Hilda: How's Sarah doing?
Alva just walked over to Trylla and looked at Sarah in her arms, seeing how she's breathing quietly and slowly.
Alva: She's still hanging on.
Trylla: Well, yeah, Trolls do have extra breath.
Frida: But she's still gonna die.
Trylla: Right.
Needless to say that even though this whole scout expedition was becoming a complete disaster, they still kept faith in succeeding. Everyone went back to sprinting behind Trylla to save Sarah and Frida noticed they seemed to be rushing too hard. They might trip or overlook where they need to go.
Frida: Guys! I need we should slow down! Before-
It was too late, Hilda tripped on a loose stone. But instead landing on the ground, Hilda looked ahead and saw a hole and felt herself tumbling down into the hole. Hilda screamed and everyone stopped to see Hilda fall, screaming in horror and rushed to the edge of the hole. They looked down and saw Hilda fall down into the blackness of the hole, jaws dropping. Hilda vanished into the darkness and there was a loud thud before silence filled the air. Everyone just looked down into the hole and didn't Hilda anywhere, but judging from the silence they knew-
Hilda: Guys! I'm not dead!
Everyone just sighed in relief, learning Hilda wasn't dead.
Alva: Hilda! Where are you?
Hilda: I don't know! But I'm down in a hole!
Trevor: Can you jump back up?
Everyone from the top of the hole heard Hilda getting up on her feet and heard her jump off the ground.
Hilda: It may be a while! You guys go on ahead and I'll try to get out!
Frida: You guys! Go! We'll catch up!
The adults just looked at each other nervously and back at Frida, who gave them a firm nod. They all looked back at Sarah in Trylla's arms, breathing heavily and slowly. Shame to admit it, they didn't have time for this and Sarah needed to get to Rohr as soon as possible. Trylla, Trevor, David, Alva, and Baba in Trylla's arms all dashed away and left Frida behind to help Hilda get out of the hole. The gang just rushed as much as they could with Baba and Sarah in Trylla's arms. Thoughts raced through Alva's thoughts that if Sarah dies tonight, then she'll be the one to blame. Her parents will be heartbroken and crushed. She was turned into a troll and now she was gonna die. But they'll also be enraged at Alva for letting this happen. And her siblings, Luke and Kelly, would be guilty of themselves for their mistreatment of Sarah.
As they hustled through the stone forest they suddenly stopped. They looked ahead and saw large stairs cut from stone that led up to a cave entrance on the stone pillar, with a tarp covering the entrance. This had to be it. The home of Rohr the healer. As the gang stepped forward, they heard the sound of grumbling from the cave and saw a troll emerge from the entrance. He had moss on his head and hands, had grey skin, and was about 14 feet tall. It was Rohr, the healer that was gonna save Sarah. He looked down from atop of the stairs and saw Trylla, Baba, Alva, Trevor, and David from the bottom and looking up at him.
Rohr: Who goes there?!
Trylla: Are you Rohr the healer?
Rohr: Some call me that. So yes.
David: Well, we have another patient for you!
Rohr just rolled his eyes and looked down from the stairs, where he saw Sarah in Trylla's hands with her face cracked and her nose broken, which made Rohr look pale.
Rohr: Quickly! Bring her inside!
Rohr turned back and went into his cave to prepare for the healing. Trylla, Alva, David, and Trevor began to rush up the stairs in hurry to Rohr's cave. But as they ran up the stairs David suddenly slipped and fell to his knee, bonking it against the steps. But Trylla, Alva, and Baba didn't stop and only Trevor looked back and saw David behind, which he rushed back down to help. As David got it together Trevor reached out his hand to help and David looked up to see it.
Trevor: Oh, here! Let me help you!
David just looked at his hand and saw trust on Trevor's face, from his smile and eyes. David gingerly took his hand and Trevor carefully pulled him up. Walking back up the stairs, Trevor and David kept holding their hands as they walked up to Rohr's cave, and felt comfort. Upon reaching the top, they walked through the cave and past the tarp where they saw Alva, Trylla, Baba, and Rohr in a circle. Rohr was spreading mud on Sarah's face very gently, like he was filling in some cracks as a contrusction worker. David and Trevor just stood back near the entrance and let Rohr did his job, while holding hands. As Rohr was spreading mud around Sarah's broken nose, he turned to Alva with concern on his face.
Rohr: How did this happen?!
Alva: She was climbing up a stone pillar to get a toy when she lost her grip and fell on the ground.
Rohr: Ugh. That would explain it. But this is nothing I can't handle.
Rohr finished dabbing the mud around Sarah's nose and brushed his hands clean. Then Rohr cracked his hands and hovered them over Sarah's head, closing his eyes and concentrating on his magic. Everyone watched as Rohr's hands began to glow yellow, making their eyes widening as he was about to save Sarah's life.
Hilda was still stuck in the hole. It's been a long while and she was still stuck in the hole. Hilda been trying so hard to get out by each attempt was unsuccessful. Frida was just sitting up from the top and waiting for Hilda to get out.
Hilda: This isn't working, Frida!
Frida: I know. Why don't you try climbing?
Hilda: You think that would work?
Frida: Of course! I remember how you can climb.
Hilda: Really? I don't remember that. Or Climbing.
Frida: Oh, well, I've memorized rock climbing in the sparrow scout guide book. Now follow my instructions and you might get out.
Hilda: Okay! Got it!
Hilda walked over to the wall of the hole and placed her hands on gently, where Frida cleared her throat and looked down to watch her.
Frida: Okay, place her your hands high on the wall and try to sink your fingers into the wall with your troll strength.
Hilda listened to Frida's instructions and raised her hands high and placed them on the walls of the hole. Hilda then pressed her fingers harder against the wall and felt them sink into the dirt.
Hilda: I did it!
Frida: Nice! Now pull yourself up and stick your feet against the wall.
Hilda followed Frida and jumped a little in the air, smashing her feet against the wall and suddenly Hilda felt herself off the floor, turning back and saw herself hanging off the wall of the hole.
Hilda: It's working!
Frida: Okay, now starting climbing by grabbing the higher parts of the wall with your hands and feet.
Hilda nodded, even though Frida couldn't see, and she began climb up against the wall and upward. Hilda just pulled herself up as she continued to grab higher on the wall and scaled the wall as intended. Hilda broke into a wide smile and looked up to see the top coming closing from climbing. It was working!
Hilda: It's working!
Frida: Awesome!
Hilda: Thanks! I think getting the hang of this!
Frida: Amazing! You'll be adventuring with this skill in no time!
Hilda chuckled in response. When suddenly Hilda felt a zap in her mind. She stopped climbing and froze in place with a face of revelation, blinking once. Memories of her began to flood her mind, memories of Hilda running in the wilderness, causing fun shenanigans, and doing wild and crazy things in the adventuring spirit. It came back! Her memories of adventure! Hilda snapped out of her trance and formed a wide smile in excitement, before looking up.
Hilda: Frida!
Frida: What?
Hilda: I remember!
Frida: You do?!
Hilda: Yes! The climbing must've brought them back!
Frida: That's wonderful!
Hilda: I know! I feel so happy!
Hilda chuckled in joy and just grabbed tight on the rocky, dirt wall of the hole and she jumped herself off the wall and in the air. Frida watched as Hilda flew out of the top of the hole and scream in joy, making her smile. But as Hilda began soared in the air and out of the hole, she felt herself fall again and down to the hole like before. Which made Frida and Hilda both frightened that she was blumeting down into the hole again.
Hilda: Uh, oh-
At that moment Hilda felt someone grab her arm as she was about to fall again down deeper. Hilda glanced up and gasped by who grabbed her. It was not Frida, but it was Sarah! Her face was fixed and her nose was back on! She was healed! Sarah then grabbed Hilda with her other hand she pulled her up and out of the hole with her strength. Hilda got up on her feet and pulled up Frida from her knees, before they both turned to Sarah and wrapped their arms around, hugging her as their eyes began to flooded with tears.
Frida: Sarah! You're okay!
Hilda: Oh, Sarah! You're alive!
Sarah: Of course! We got to Rohr in time and he healed my face!
The girls parted and looked at each other with fond smiles of joy of Sarah's recovery. Just then Alva, Trylla, Baba, David, and Trevor all walked over and up behind the girls, making satisfied faces that the day was saved.
Alva: Well, let's head back now!
Everyone just nodded in agreement to Alva's words. They all walked back to Trylla's cave without anymore things in their way, no holes, no accidents, no nothing bad. Thankfully Trylla remembered the way back to her place so they didn't get lost in the stone forest. Upon reaching the cave and opened space, everyone just went back to their usual activities. Trylla, Baba, Sarah, and Frida went back to playing frisbee while David and Trevor sat off the side and were reading comics together. Hilda was sitting off to the side and saw the boys reading comics together, feeling glad they were getting along. But suddenly Hilda looked up and saw Alva walking over with a gentle smile and looked down at Hilda sweetly, before sitting down next to Hilda. The pair looked at their friends enjoying themselves and were relieved that Sarah didn't die from that incident.
Hilda: I'm so glad Sarah made it.
Alva: Me too, Hilda.
Hilda: Are we gonna Sarah's mum and dad?
Alva: Oof. Um, er, maybe. I haven't decided yet.
Hilda: Okay. But on the bright side Sarah learned to climb!
Alva: No, Hilda! Sarah should never climbed up there in the first place! It's wrong and disobedient! Just completely unnecessary.
Hilda: What? What do you know about what's necessary?!
Alva: Well, I know girls like yourselves should not sneak out of camp when there's a wild and dangerous animal on the loose!
Hilda: Hey! I only did that because Tontu was out in the woods with the black hound!
Alva's eyes just widen in surprise from Hilda's words and looked at her, while she was looking down with a pout, but turned into a depressed face. Alva looked at it and saw Hilda's expression, making her anxious.
Alva: What?
Hilda: Tontu. He's my house nisse, and this was before he was. He was out there in the woods and you stopped me by threatening me by not letting come along on future camping trips.
Alva: I, didn't know that.
Hilda: *Sigh* Sure you didn't.
Hilda just sighed again and looked back down with a face of discourage and disappointment. Alva was now feeling guilty, ashamed of herself even. Alva didn't realized she was only just trying to help, especially the nisse. Sure Hilda should've been more honest, but Alva believed that didn't matter anymore. After what she was hearing now. Alva just looked down with a guilty face and binged the verge of her nose. Letting out a soft sight, Alva just looked back at Hilda with a sorrow look and broke the silence.
Alva: Hilda...I owe you an apology.
Hilda: Eh?
Alva: I guess I didn't realize what you were doing. You just...wanted help, and I was in your way.
Hilda: Alva...
Alva: It's true. I just wanted to keep everyone together and safe. But you still have every right to be upset with me. I'm sorry, Hilda. I'm really sorry.
Alva just looked down and made a regretful frown from her mistake. Hilda just looked over and saw Alva looking down in shame with her eyes closed, showing just how sorry she was. Hilda just looked at her with a straight face, not knowing what to feel.
Hilda: Alva, it's okay, I guess. And thank you for apologizing.
Alva: Of course.
Hilda and Alva both looked at each other with straight faces, before they turned into faces of sheepish and goofy smiles. Alva and Hilda both chuckled and laughed a little, with Alva rubbing the back of her neck and Hilda feeling much better now that Alva understood her better. When they stopped laughing they looked at each other with smiles. They both felt better, now that Alva learned what happened and learning a side of Hilda that was special, worthy of a Sparrow Scout and Night Owl. Hilda felt better now that she could trust Alva more, who got to know her more as a friend. This was a good start.
Hilda: So, what's tomorrow?
Alva: I was thinking we could do exploring the stone forest, and do a little mapping.
Hilda just smiled at the idea, feeling excited to try out her adventuring skills now that she got her memories of freedom back.
Hilda: I love that idea.
To Be Continued In:
Magic Fiasco
Author's Notes: Hey everyone! I'm sorry this took a while to come out. I planned to do some writing when I was out on a camping trip but I left my charger at home and I couldn't do any writing at all on my phone, nor my laptop because I didn't have it with me. But I've finished the chapter and I'm glad it's done. See ya in the next chapter! I don't know when it's coming out but I'll get to work on it quickly! See ya!
